I happened to be in Miss Fu's class when I began my high school years. At that time, I dared not speak English aloud in public, for I was shy and my pronunciation and intonation① were poor. Afraid of being laughed at, I never put up my hand to answer the questions Miss Fu raised in class, even if I had some good answers to them. For a time, I even lost interest in practising spoken English. When Miss Fu found out the reason, she encouraged me to speak. First she bought me some English tapes and told me to listen to them carefully, and try to recite them. In class, I was often asked questions and given a lot of chances to practise speaking.Little by little, I became brave enough to speak, and was not afraid to speak English before others. Miss Fu smiled sweetly when she heard the news that I had been chosen to take part in an important oral English contest②.

　　Whenever I look at the stars in the sky, I recognize the brightest one ---- the symbol of Miss Fu in my heart. Miss Fu will always be a shining star in my life!

15

　　I have a good friend. He is a handsome boy and his eyes shine with wisdom.

　　I have known him since Senior One. We are both interested in English. Once both of us entered for an English contest. How eagerly I expected to get a prize! On hearing that I had failed in the contest, I could hardly hold back my tears. "What a pity!" I murmured to myself over and over again. I felt that the world had become cold and everyone seemed to be laughing at me.I love English and have gone all out to study it since my first day in the junior middle school. I have even dreamed of entering a foreign language institute. So I felt very sad.

　　Just at this time, I received a short letter in English, saying, "Failure is the mother of success. Cheer up! Don't lose confidence. Keep on your study and you will succeed!" I knew it was from the good friend of mine.These words encouraged me greatly. I forgot all my sadness. From then on, I studied English even harder. In the next English contest, I got the first prize. Of course, he was delighted with my success.
【完】